Pushbutton user interface with functionality preview

ABSTRACT

A pushbutton user interface enables a user to preview the effect of activating a pushbutton of the interface before the pushbutton is activated. The pushbutton user interface can be implemented so that an input (preview input) to the pushbutton that does not produce an activation of the pushbutton is sensed and, in response to the sensed input, a preview is displayed that indicates the effect of activating the pushbutton. The preview input can be sensed using, for example, a force-sensitive resistor, potentiometer or strain gauge. The preview display can include, for example, a visual display, an audio display, a haptic display, or a combination of two or three such displays. The pushbutton user interface can be implemented so that the preview input and an activation input (i.e., an input that produces an activation of the pushbutton) are sensed as a result of an input to the pushbutton along the same axis or along different (e.g., orthogonal) axes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/918,789, entitled PUSHBUTTON USER INTERFACE WITHFUNCTIONALITY PREVIEW filed Jul. 27, 2001 which is incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/740,587 filed on Dec. 18, 2000, which isa continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/172,980filed on Dec. 20, 1999, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to user interfaces and, in particular, to apushbutton user interface that enables a user to preview the effect ofactivating a pushbutton before the pushbutton is actually activated.

2. Related Art

Pushbuttons provide binary control. Often, it is desirable to know whateffect activating a pushbutton (i.e., actuating the pushbutton in amanner that produces the functionality associated with the pushbutton)will have before the pushbutton is activated. If the function of thepushbutton is constant, such as power on/off, the result of activatingthe pushbutton can often be known beforehand. However, if the functionof the pushbutton can vary (such as is the case with a set ofpushbuttons used to select preassigned radio stations), the result ofactivating the pushbutton may not be known with confidence beforehand.In such cases, it can be desirable to know what effect activating apushbutton will have (e.g., which radio station a pushbutton willselect) before committing to the activation. In particular, in apushbutton user interface including multiple pushbuttons, it can bedesirable to know what effect activating a particular pushbutton willhave before the pushbutton is activated.

Graphical icons formed on, or attached to, pushbuttons have been used toexplain the behavior of pushbuttons on devices such as remote controlunits. However, graphical icons can be confusing and non-intuitive,particularly when used to explain specialized functions.

A “mouse rollover” is a technique that has been used within the softwareuser interface of a computer to explain the behavior of components of agraphical user interface of a computer. A mouse rollover occurs when acursor or pointer is moved over a graphical icon or designated “hotspot” on the screen of a computer's display device. Text correspondingto the icon or hot spot (which typically identifies the function orcontent represented by the icon or hot spot) appears automatically; themouse (or other user input device) doesn't have to be clicked (orotherwise activated) for the text to appear. The mouse rollovertechnique is used in numerous computer programs, such as, for example,Adobe Photoshop. In Photoshop, for instance, a menu bar is included forthe selection of various drawing and design tools. A graphical iconrepresents each tool. A picture of a paintbrush, for example, representsthe paintbrush tool. Textual explanations for each tool appear on-screenas a pointer is moved over the corresponding graphical icon. Selecting(e.g., clicking a mouse or activating another input device) thegraphical icon launches the tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a pushbutton user interface enables a userto preview the effect of activating a pushbutton of the interface beforethe pushbutton is activated. By providing a pushbutton with such previewcapability, there is less need to attempt to explain pushbuttonfunctionality through other means (which may be confusing andnon-intuitive), such as use of a graphical icon, as has previously beendone. Pushbutton user interfaces incorporating preview capability inaccordance with the invention can be less confusing to use than previouspushbutton user interfaces and can therefore enable the creation ofsimpler and more understandable interfaces for use in remote controlunits and other complex control devices.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pushbutton user interface enablesa user to preview the effect of activating a pushbutton of thepushbutton user interface by sensing an input (preview input) to thepushbutton that does not produce an activation of the pushbutton anddisplaying, in response to the sensed input, a preview indicating theeffect of activating the pushbutton. The preview input can be sensedusing, for example, a force-sensitive resistor, potentiometer or straingauge. The preview display can include, for example, a visual display,an audio display, a haptic display, or a combination of two or threesuch displays. The pushbutton user interface can be implemented so thatthe preview input and an activation input (i.e., an input that producesan activation of the pushbutton) are sensed as a result of an input tothe pushbutton along the same axis or along different (e.g., orthogonal)axes.

The principles of the invention can also be embodied in user interfaceapparatus other than a pushbutton user interface. For example, theprinciples of the invention can be implemented in user interfaceapparatus in which input is provided via mechanical apparatus, such as adoorknob, a toggle switch or a rotary switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pushbutton user interface apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method, according to the invention, ofoperation of a pushbutton user interface apparatus according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess, an apparatus, a system, a composition of matter, a computerreadable medium such as a computer readable storage medium or a computernetwork wherein program instructions are sent over optical or electroniccommunication links. In this specification, these implementations, orany other form that the invention may take, may be referred to astechniques. A component such as a processor or a memory described asbeing configured to perform a task includes both a general componentthat is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or aspecific component that is manufactured to perform the task. In general,the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

According to the invention, a pushbutton user interface enables a userto preview the effect of activating a pushbutton of the interface beforethe pushbutton is activated. (The invention can be particularlyadvantageously implemented in a pushbutton user interface includingmultiple pushbuttons so that functionality preview capability isprovided for multiple pushbuttons.) By providing a pushbutton with suchpreview capability, there is less need to attempt to explain pushbuttonfunctionality through other means (which may be confusing andnon-intuitive), such as use of a graphical icon, as has previously beendone. Additionally, the invention can advantageously be implemented sothat the explanation of the functionality of a pushbutton is closelytied to the actual experience of using the pushbutton. A pushbutton userinterface incorporating preview capability in accordance with theinvention can be less confusing to use than previous pushbutton userinterfaces and can therefore enable the creation of simpler and moreunderstandable interfaces for use in remote control units and othercomplex control devices. A pushbutton user interface according to theinvention can advantageously enable preview of currently unusedfunctionality of a device without interrupting ongoing use offunctionality of that device (e.g., as described further below, apushbutton user interface according to the invention can be used, whileviewing one television channel, to display one or more other televisionchannels as small picture-in-pictures within the display of thecurrently viewed television channel with relatively little disruption tothe television channel being watched). The invention can be used in, forexample, consumer electronics products, cell phones, cable televisionproducts, MP3 players, remote control devices, and professional videoand audio equipment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pushbutton user interface apparatus 100according to the invention. The pushbutton user interface apparatus 100includes one or more pushbutton mechanisms 101, one or more inputsensors 102, one or more processing devices 103, one or more previewdisplays 104 and activation apparatus 105, each of which are describedin more detail below. The communication shown in FIG. 1 betweencomponents of the apparatus 100, including the directionality of thatcommunication, is merely illustrative; it is to be understood that theinvention contemplates any communication among the components of theapparatus 100, as can readily be understood by those skilled in the art,that enables the functionality of the apparatus 100, as describedherein, to be achieved.

Each pushbutton mechanism 101 of the pushbutton user interface apparatus100 enables a user to effect functionality associated with thepushbutton mechanism 101. For example, a pushbutton mechanism 101 can beused to select one of a multiplicity of radio stations or televisionchannels (or, more generally, one of a multiplicity of any type ofaudio, visual or audiovisual channel). A pushbutton mechanism 101 canalso be used to select a link displayed within a Web page. A pushbuttonmechanism 101 can also be used to activate a function provided in adesktop computer application or to continuously control the degree of afunction provided in a desktop computer application. A pushbuttonmechanism 101 can also be used to open or unlatch a door.

A pushbutton mechanism 101 can be implemented using conventionalapparatus known to those skilled in the art. For example, a pushbuttonmechanism 101 can be implemented using a pushbutton cap that iscompliantly supported with a spring so that pressing on the pushbuttoncap causes the pushbutton cap to be displaced from a rest position atwhich the pushbutton cap is held by the spring when the pushbutton capis not being pressed. Herein, such a pushbutton mechanism is sometimesreferred to as a “displacement-type pushbutton mechanism.” In adisplacement-type pushbutton mechanism, pressing on the pushbutton capcan be sensed using a displacement sensor, force sensor or touch sensor.A pushbutton mechanism 101 can also be implemented using a pushbuttoncap that is supported so that pressing on the pushbutton cap causes thepushbutton cap to be displaced negligibly or not at all. Herein, such apushbutton mechanism is sometimes referred to as a “touch-sensitivepushbutton mechanism.” In a touch-sensitive pushbutton mechanism,pressing on the pushbutton cap can be sensed using a force sensor ortouch sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor that can be used to sense touchor a light sensor that can be used to infer touch from blockage of lightin the vicinity of the light sensor.

In accordance with the invention, each pushbutton mechanism 101 canenable a user to provide an activation input and a preview input. An“activation input” is an input to a pushbutton mechanism 101 thatproduces an activation of the pushbutton mechanism 101, i.e., thatproduces the functionality associated with the pushbutton mechanism 101.(Examples of such functionality are discussed above.) A “preview input”is an input to a pushbutton mechanism 101 that does not produce anactivation of the pushbutton mechanism 101 and that produces a display(preview display) indicating the effect of activating the pushbuttonmechanism 101.

A pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can be implemented so thatboth the preview input and the activation input are effected along thesame axis and in the same direction. Such a pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 can be implemented, for example, so that an activationinput is produced by depressing (displacing) a displacement-typepushbutton mechanism 101 more than a specified amount or applyinggreater than a specified force to a displacement type or touch-sensitivepushbutton mechanism 101. A preview input can be produced in such apushbutton user interface apparatus 100 by, for example, depressing adisplacement-type pushbutton mechanism 101 less than a specified amountor by applying less than a specified force to a displacement-type ortouch-sensitive pushbutton mechanism 101. Such a pushbutton userinterface apparatus 100 can, but need not necessarily, further beimplemented so that a preview input is only produced if adisplacement-type pushbutton mechanism 101 is depressed by greater thana second specified amount or greater than a second specified force isapplied to a displacement-type or touch-sensitive pushbutton mechanism101 (the second specified amount or force being less than the firstspecified amount or force that defines an activation input). Further,such a pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can be implemented sothat when a preview input is produced, the content of a preview displaythat results from a preview input can vary in accordance with the amountby which the pushbutton mechanism 101 is depressed or the degree offorce applied to the pushbutton mechanism 101. Implementing thepushbutton user interface apparatus 100 so that both the preview inputand the activation input are effected along the same axis and in thesame direction has the advantage that the pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 can typically be constructed more easily and cheaply thanan implementation of the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 inwhich the preview and activation inputs are effected in differentdirections or along different axes. A pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 implemented in this manner may also be easier to use,since both the activation and preview inputs are controlled in the samemanner using the same apparatus.

A pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can alternatively beimplemented so that the preview input and the activation input areeffected in opposite directions along the same axis or along differentaxes. Such a pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can be implemented,for example, so that an activation input is produced by pressing(displacing or applying a force to) a pushbutton mechanism 101 in adirection along a first axis and a preview input is produced by pressing(displacing or applying a force to) the pushbutton mechanism 101 in adirection along a second, lateral axis (ie., along an axis orthogonal tothe axis along which the pushbutton mechanism 101 is pressed to producedthe activation input), an input sensor 102 being provided to sensedisplacement or force along the second axis. Alternatively, thepushbutton mechanism 101 can be implemented to include a touch sensor sothat a preview input is produced when a predetermined surface (which canbe the same surface that is pressed to produced an activation input or adifferent surface) of the pushbutton mechanism 101 is touched.Implementing the pushbutton mechanism 101 so that the preview andactivation inputs are effected along different axes can be advantageousbecause such an implementation may make separate control of the previewand activation functionality easier, particularly since the relativelysmall range of displacement of many conventional pushbutton mechanismsmay make such separate control difficult when both the preview andactivation inputs are effected by depressing the pushbutton mechanism inthe same direction by a particular amount that is specified tocorrespond to that type of input.

Typically, the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 includes multiplepushbutton mechanisms 101. In general, the utility of the inventionincreases as the number of pushbutton mechanisms 101 of the pushbuttonuser interface apparatus 100 increases. This can be because, forexample, the increasingly large number of input options may make itincreasingly desirable to obtain an understanding of the input optionsavailable before committing to one. Additionally, even when a user haspreviously used the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100, as thenumber of pushbutton mechanisms 101 of the pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 increases, it becomes more difficult for a user to recallthe function associated with each pushbutton mechanism 101.

Each input sensor 102 of the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100senses input by the user to one or more of the pushbutton mechanisms101. An input sensor 102 can be implemented by, for example, any devicethat can be connected to a pushbutton mechanism 101 so that the deviceexhibits a change in physical properties in response to displacement of(a displacement sensor), force applied to (a force sensor), or touchingof (a touch sensor), the pushbutton mechanism 101. For instance, aninput sensor 102 can be implemented by a force-sensitive resistor, apotentiometer or a strain gauge mounted on the underside of a pushbuttoncap.

The pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can be implemented so thatone or more input sensors 102 (each input sensor 102 constitutingseparate apparatus) sense input to a single pushbutton mechanism 101,and it is anticipated that the invention will typically be implementedin this manner. (Multiple input sensors 102 may be used to sense inputto a single pushbutton mechanism 101, for example, when the pushbuttonuser interface apparatus 100 is implemented so that preview andactivation of the pushbutton mechanism 101 are actuated by moving thepushbutton mechanism 101 in different directions or along differentaxes, as discussed further above.) However, the pushbutton userinterface apparatus 100 can also be implemented so that one input sensor102 senses input to multiple pushbutton mechanisms 101. Such animplementation can be constructed in a manner similar to that used in acomputer keyboard or other keyboard or keypad interface, in which asingle apparatus can sense (discrete) input from multiple keys or inputpoints.

The processing device(s) 103 of the pushbutton user interface apparatus100 evaluate data produced by the input sensor(s) 102 to determine thetype of control that is intended to be effected by the user (i.e., todetermine whether the user intends to activate the pushbuttonfunctionality or obtain a preview of that functionality, and, in thelatter case, perhaps determine the amount or degree of preview toprovide) and perform any other processing functions that are necessaryor desirable to implement the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100. Aprocessing device 103 can be implemented using any conventionalprocessing device that is appropriate for use in the pushbutton userinterface apparatus 100 as particularly implemented (e.g., that iscompatible with the other components of the pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100, such as the input sensor(s) 102). Selection of such aprocessing device can be readily accomplished by those skilled in theart. Further, those skilled in the art can appreciate that there are alarge variety of such processing devices.

Each of the preview displays 104 of the pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 produces, in response to a preview input from the user, adisplay of a preview of the effect of activating a pushbutton mechanism101. A preview display 104 can appeal to any of the senses, i.e., apreview display 104 can be a visual display, audio display, tactiledisplay, olfactory display or taste display. Typically, the type(s) ofthe preview display(s) 104 and/or the implementation(s) of the previewdisplay(s) 104 depend on the nature of the functionality associated withthe pushbutton mechanism(s) 101. For example, when the pushbutton userinterface apparatus 100 is used to select a radio station (as describedin more detail below), a preview display 104 can be a display of a radiostation corresponding to a pushbutton mechanism 101, the volume of whichvaries in accordance with the degree of the preview input. Or, forexample, when the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 is used toselect a television program (as also described in more detail below), apreview display 104 can be a display of a television stationcorresponding to a pushbutton mechanism 101, the size of the displayvarying in accordance with the degree of the preview input.

The pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can be implemented so that apreview input to a pushbutton mechanism 101 causes the production of oneor multiple preview displays 104. Moreover, when multiple previewdisplays 104 are produced, the preview displays 104 can be of multipletypes. For example, the preview displays 104 can include a combinationof two or three of a visual display, an audio display and a hapticdisplay. Examples of audio and visual preview displays have beendiscussed above. A pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 can also beimplemented to provide haptic feedback through one or more of thepushbutton mechanisms 101 to, for example, give a tactile or kinestheticsensation that corresponds to the genre, station or other qualities ofaudio or video content that is available for selection by the pushbuttonmechanism(s) 101. The information upon which the haptic display is basedcan be automatically extracted from the corresponding content or theinformation can be human annotations which are broadcast or stored withthe content.

The activation apparatus 105 of the pushbutton user interface apparatus100 effects, in response to an activation input from the user, thefunctionality associated with the pushbutton mechanism(s) 101. Theimplementation of the activation apparatus 105 depends on the nature ofthe functionality associated with the pushbutton mechanism(s) 101. Forexample, when the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 is used toselect a radio or television station, the activation apparatus 105 is aradio or television, respectively. When the pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 is used to select a link within a Web page, the activationapparatus 105 is software and hardware that effects the display of thecontent associated with the selected link.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method 200, according to the invention, ofoperation of a pushbutton user interface apparatus according to theinvention. The method 200 can be implemented, for example, in thepushbutton user interface apparatus 100 described above with respect toFIG. 1.

In step 201, the occurrence of input to a pushbutton mechanism isidentified. For example, depression of a pushbutton mechanism,application of force to a pushbutton mechanism or touching of apushbutton mechanism can be identified in step 201. In the pushbuttonuser interface apparatus 100 described above with respect to FIG. 1,step 201 can be performed by the input sensor(s) 102. In the particularembodiment of the invention described below which can be used, forexample, to control a radio, step 201 can be performed by theforce-sensitive resistors.

As described elsewhere herein, a pushbutton user interface apparatusaccording to the invention can include multiple pushbutton mechanisms.When the method 200 is used with such a pushbutton user interfaceapparatus, step 201 can also include an identification of the particularpushbutton mechanism to which the user input has been applied. In suchcase, in the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 described abovewith respect to FIG. 1, step 201 can be performed by the input sensor(s)102 and the processing device(s) 103.

In step 202, the nature of the input to the pushbutton mechanism isdetermined. In the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100 describedabove with respect to FIG. 1, step 202 can be performed by theprocessing device(s) 103. In the particular embodiment of the inventiondescribed below which can be used, for example, to control a radio, step202 can be performed by the microcontroller.

The determination of the nature of the input to the pushbutton mechanismincludes at least a determination of characteristic(s) of the input thatenable the input to be identified as either a preview input or anactivation input (see step 203, described below). For example, in step202, a determination can be made of the amount of depression of, orforce applied to, a pushbutton mechanism, the amount of depression orapplied force determining whether the input is a preview input or anactivation input. Or, for example, in the step 202, a determination canbe made of which surface has been touched by the user, the surface beingtouched determining whether the input is a preview input or not.

The method 200 can be implemented so that, in step 202, determination ofother characteristic(s) of the input are also made. For example, theinvention can be implemented so that the preview display varies inaccordance with one or more characteristics of the preview input. Forinstance, the invention can be implemented so that the amount or degreeof a preview display is increased as the preview input to the pushbuttonmechanism is asserted to a greater degree (e.g., as the pushbuttonmechanism is depressed an increasing amount or subjected to anincreasing amount of force). In such case, step 202 of the method 200can be implemented to determine characteristic(s) of the input which canbe used to ascertain the degree with which the preview input isasserted.

In step 203, a determination is made as to whether the user input is apreview input or an activation input. In the pushbutton user interfaceapparatus 100 described above with respect to FIG. 1, step 203 can beperformed by the processing device(s) 103. In the particular embodimentof the invention described below which can be used, for example, tocontrol a radio, step 203 can be performed by the computational device.

As indicated above, the determination made in step 203 is based on oneor more characteristics of the user input as determined in step 202. Forexample, the invention can be implemented so that a preview input isdetermined to have occurred when a pushbutton mechanism is depressed byless than a specified amount or subjected to less than a specifiedamount of force, and an activation input is determined to have occurredwhen the pushbutton mechanism is depressed by greater than a specifiedamount or subjected to greater than a specified amount of force.

The method 200 can also be implemented so that, in step 203, if theinput is determined to be a preview input, the degree with which thepreview input is asserted is also determined. As discussed above, thisdetermination can be used to affect the amount or degree of a previewdisplay.

In step 204, if, in step 203, the input has been determined to be apreview input, a preview display is produced, i.e., a display isproduced of a preview of the effect associated with activating thepushbutton mechanism. In the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100described above with respect to FIG. 1, step 204 can be performed by thepreview display(s) 104 and, depending upon the particular implementationof the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100, perhaps the processingdevice(s) 103. The preview display can be, for example, a visual displayof text identifying the functionality of the pushbutton mechanism or aspoken (audio) display of words identifying the pushbutton mechanismfunctionality. Other examples of preview displays that can be producedby a pushbutton user interface apparatus according to the invention arediscussed elsewhere herein. As indicated above and discussed furtherbelow, in some embodiments of the invention, the amount or degree of thepreview display can be variable.

In step 205, if, in step 203, the input has been determined to be anactivation input, the effect associated with activating the pushbuttonmechanism is produced. In the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100described above with respect to FIG. 1, step 205 can be performed by theactivation apparatus 105 and, depending upon the particularimplementation of the pushbutton user interface apparatus 100, perhapsthe processing device(s) 103. Activation of a pushbutton mechanism can,for example, cause a particular radio station to be selected. Otherexamples of effects produced by activation of a pushbutton mechanism arediscussed elsewhere herein.

Below, a particular embodiment of the invention is described in detailto illustrate how the invention can be implemented, and to facilitateand enhance understanding of the invention. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention encompasses implementation using a widevariety of other apparatus and, consistent with the principles of theinvention, having a variety of other functionality.

In one embodiment of a pushbutton user interface apparatus according tothe invention, a force-sensitive resistor (FSR) or other input sensor(e.g., potentiometer, strain gauge) is mounted to the underside of eachof multiple pushbutton caps which are, depending upon the particularimplementation of the invention, compliantly or fixedly mounted on anappropriate support structure. The FSRs are operably connected to amicrocontroller (e.g., the Microchip PIC16C73 microcontroller) thatoperates in accordance with one or more computer programs that causedata values to be read by the microcontroller from each FSR as the FSRsenses input to the corresponding pushbutton cap. Changes in resistancethrough the FSR (which correspond to changes in force applied to thepushbutton cap) are read by the microcontroller and resolved asnumerical values on a scale from 0 to 255 (i.e., are represented as 8bit data), thereby indicating how much force has been applied to thepushbutton (which, depending on the particular mechanical implementationof the pushbutton, can correspond to pressure applied to the pushbuttonor displacement of the pushbutton). The microcontroller can transmitthese values to a computational device. The computational deviceanalyzes the values in accordance with the type of control which thepushbutton is being used to effect. For example, if the pushbuttons arebeing used to control radio (either conventional radio or Internetradio), as discussed in more detail below, the numbers sent from themicrocontroller can be interpreted as a volume of the channelcorresponding to the activated pushbutton. A reading of 0 can beinterpreted as no volume on the channel corresponding to the pushbutton,while a reading of 255 can be interpreted as a channel selection. Valuesin between 0 and 255 lead to fade-in or fade-out of the volume of thecorresponding channels, depending on whether the FSR measurement isincreasing or decreasing.

In an exemplary application of the invention, a pushbutton userinterface according to the invention can be used to facilitate selectionof a radio station (or other audio channel or recording from among amultiplicity of audio channels or recordings). For example, in oneembodiment of such a pushbutton user interface, three pushbuttons arecompliantly mounted on a plastic plate. Each pushbutton is preset sothat activation of the pushbutton selects a specified radio channel:pushbutton 1 is used to select radio channel 1, pushbutton 2 is used toselect radio channel 2, and pushbutton 3 is used to select radio channel3. Depressing one of the pushbuttons causes the corresponding radiochannel to fade in, the degree to which the channel is displayed (i.e.,the volume at which the channel is displayed) being based on the amountof displacement of the pushbutton, e.g., as the pushbutton is depresseda greater amount, the corresponding channel is displayed more loudly.Fully depressing a pushbutton causes the corresponding channel to beselected. Thus, a user can have fully depressed pushbutton 1 and belistening solely to channel 1. Running a finger lightly along pushbutton2 will produce a mix of channels 1 and 2. Running a finger lightly alongpushbutton 3 will produce a mix of channels 1 and 3. If something new ofinterest is heard, a pushbutton can be pushed firmly to engage the newchannel, i.e., cause that channel to be displayed by itself. Such apushbutton user interface according to the invention can be used, forexample, as a remote controller for Internet radio. Such a pushbuttonuser interface can also be used, for example, in a car stereo forswitching radio stations or audio tracks.

In another exemplary application of the invention, a pushbutton userinterface according to the invention can be used to facilitate viewingof visual content. The pushbutton user interface can implemented sothat, as a current set of visual content (e.g., a particular televisionchannel) is being displayed in a primary display window, pressing apushbutton mechanism causes a secondary display window to appear (inparticular, within the primary display window, i.e., apicture-in-picture display), the secondary display window displaying anew set of visual content (e.g., a different television channel) thatcorresponds to the pushbutton mechanism. The pushbutton user interfacecan be implemented so that pressing the pushbutton mechanismprogressively harder causes the secondary display window to becomecorrespondingly bigger. Firmly pressing the pushbutton mechanism (e.g.,depressing the pushbutton mechanism greater than a specified amount)causes the new set of visual content to be displayed in the primarydisplay window. A pushbutton user interface according to the inventionas described above enables the size of the secondary display window tobe varied (and, depending upon the implementation, varied continuously),unlike user interface apparatus used to produce a conventionalpicture-in-picture visual display in which the secondary display windowremains fixed in size.

In yet another exemplary application of the invention, a pushbutton userinterface according to the invention can be used to facilitate viewingof Web-enhanced television. Televisions are beginning to enabletelevision programs to be supplemented by content (e.g., Web pages)obtained via the Internet. For example, a television can be constructedso that a link to a related Web site can be displayed while a televisionprogram is being displayed. A remote control can be implemented toinclude a pushbutton user interface according to the invention so thatproviding an activation input to a pushbutton mechanism toggles thetelevision display between a display of the television program alone anda display of a Web page corresponding to the link, either alone ortogether (e.g., overlaid on a part of the television program ordisplayed on half of the television screen while the television programis displayed on the other half) with the television program). Thepushbutton user interface can be further implemented so that providing apreview input to the pushbutton mechanism while the television programis displayed alone controls the display of a sliding screen fordisplaying part or all of the Web page. For example, the pushbutton userinterface can be implemented so that lightly touching the pushbuttonmechanism causes the screen to slide out a little, enabling a viewer tobegin viewing a part of the Web page, As the pushbutton mechanism ispressed progressively harder, the sliding screen gradually becomeslarger. As the screen slides over the display of the television program,a viewer can begin viewing a part of the Web page so that the viewer candecide whether the viewer wants to continue sliding out the screen(i.e., depress the pushbutton further) to see more of the Web page(e.g., the viewer can determine whether the content of the Web page haschanged since a last viewing of the Web page). A pushbutton userinterface according to the invention as described above can enable Webcontent related to a television program to be monitored for updates withrelatively little disruption to the observation of the televisionprogram being shown on the television (and with less disruption thanwould occur if the remote control only allowed toggling between adisplay of the television program alone and a display of the Web pagealone).

In still another exemplary application of the invention, a pushbuttonuser interface according to the invention can be used to facilitatebrowsing of Web pages. Such a pushbutton user interface can beconstructed, for example, as part of an input apparatus used with acomputational device (e.g., desktop or portable computer, personaldigital assistant, Web-enhanced cell phone), such as a mouse, keyboardor keypad, or as part of a remote control used to control a Web enhancedtelevision, as described above. Providing an activation input to apushbutton mechanism of the pushbutton user interface causes ahighlighted link on a Web page to be selected. The pushbutton userinterface can be implemented so that providing a preview input to thepushbutton mechanism causes information about a highlighted link to bedisplayed before selection of that link, such as the type, age orimportance of the highlighted link.

In another exemplary application of the invention, a pushbutton userinterface according to the invention can be implemented as part of aninput apparatus used with a computer, such as a mouse or keyboard. Apushbutton mechanism of such a computer input apparatus can be used, forexample, during interaction by a user with a desktop computerapplication, to activate a function provided in the desktop computerapplication (e.g., to display relevant information from a “help”facility of the application). In accordance with the invention, thepushbutton mechanism can be implemented so that a preview input to thepushbutton mechanism produces a display (e.g., audio, visual and/orhaptic) of a description of a function that can be activated by thepushbutton mechanism. A pushbutton mechanism of such a computer inputapparatus can also be used to continuously control the degree of afunction provided in a desktop computer application (e.g., wheninteracting with a painting program, to control the intensity of thecolor of a shape while the shape is being drawn). Inputs to thepushbutton mechanism that produce less than full activation of thefunction associated with the pushbutton (e.g., in a painting program,that produce a muted shade of a color) constitute a preview, inaccordance with the invention, of the functionality associated with thepushbutton.

In yet another exemplary application of the invention, a pushbutton userinterface according to the invention can be placed on a door, or on ornear a doorknob of a door, to relate information about the room on theother side through audio or tactile feedback. Such a pushbutton userinterface according to the invention includes a single pushbutton. Thepushbutton user interface is implemented so that a preview input to thepushbutton causes a preview display (e.g., an audio and/or a tactiledisplay) to be produced that indicates information about the room (e.g.,the temperature and/or humidity of the room, the type of room, theidentity of one or more objects in the room) and an activation inputunlatches and/or opens the door to enable entry into the room.

The invention has been described above as implemented in a pushbuttonuser interface. However, the principles of the invention can also beembodied in other user interface apparatus. In general, the principlesof the invention can be implemented in any user interface apparatus inwhich input is provided via mechanical apparatus (and, in particular,mechanical switching apparatus). For example, in the application of theinvention described above in which a pushbutton user interface accordingto the invention is placed on a door, or on or near a doorknob of adoor, a user interface apparatus in accordance with the principles ofthe invention can also be implemented by constructing a doorknob suchthat rotation of the doorknob a first predetermined amount (e.g.,rotation of the doorknob less than a specified amount) can constitute apreview input that produces a preview display as described above, androtation of the doorknob a second predetermined amount (e.g., rotationof the doorknob greater than a specified amount) can constitute anactivation input that opens or unlatches the door. As can be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, a doorknob in a user input apparatus asdescribed above can also be constructed so as to sense a preview inputin other ways, using sensing apparatus and methods as described abovewith respect to implementation of a pushbutton user interface accordingto the invention. Similarly, any type of mechanical switching apparatus(e.g., a toggle switch or a rotary switch) can be constructed so thatpreview and activation inputs can be provided to the mechanicalswitching apparatus, thus producing a user input apparatus in accordancewith the invention, using apparatus and methods as described above withrespect to implementation of a pushbutton user interface according tothe invention. For example, a mechanical switching apparatus can beconstructed so that movement of the mechanical switching apparatus(e.g., toggle switch or rotary switch) a first predetermined amount canconstitute a preview input that produces a preview display, and movementof the mechanical switching apparatus a second predetermined amount canconstitute an activation input that produces the functionalityassociated with the mechanical switching apparatus.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described. Thedescriptions are intended to be illustrative, not limitative. Thus, itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that certain modificationsmay be made to the invention as described herein without departing fromthe scope of the claims set out below.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A method of displaying a preview, comprising: sensing that a physicalinput mechanism has been engaged to a degree that does not produce anactivation of the physical input mechanism; and displaying a previewcomprising at least a portion of content data that would be provided asoutput if the physical input mechanism were activated, wherein thecontent of the preview varies in accordance with the degree to which thephysical input mechanism has been engaged.
 2. A method as recited inclaim 1 further including in the event the physical input mechanism hasbeen engaged to a degree that produces an activation of the physicalinput mechanism, activating the physical input mechanism.
 3. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the physical input mechanism is coupled to aremote control.
 4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the physicalinput mechanism is coupled to a content player.
 5. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the physical input mechanism includes a button.
 6. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the physical input mechanismincludes a switch.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the degreeto which the physical input mechanism has been engaged includes anamount of pressure.
 8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein thedegree to which the physical input mechanism has been engaged includesan amount of displacement.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1, whereinthe degree to which the physical input mechanism has been engagedincludes an angle of rotation.
 10. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein engaging the physical input mechanism along a first axis isassociated with activating the function and engaging the physical inputmechanism along a second axis is associated with displaying the preview.11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a first range of degrees towhich the physical input mechanism has been engaged is associated withactivating the function and a second range of degrees to which thephysical input mechanism has been engaged is associated with displayingthe preview.
 12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein varying thecontent of the preview includes changing a size.
 13. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein varying the content of the preview includes changinga volume.
 14. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the activation ofthe physical input mechanism is associated with selecting content.
 15. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the activation of the physicalinput mechanism is associated with selecting audio content.
 16. A methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the activation of the physical inputmechanism is associated with selecting video content.
 17. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the activation of the physical inputmechanism is associated with selecting content that is broadcast.
 18. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the activation of the physicalinput mechanism is associated with selecting content that is accessiblevia a distributed network.
 19. A method as recited in claim 1, whereinthe activation of the physical input mechanism is associated withselecting content that is stored.
 20. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein: the activation of the physical input mechanism is associatedwith selecting a first set of content; and displaying the previewfurther includes displaying the first set of content whilesimultaneously displaying a second set of content that is a currentselection.
 21. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein: the activationof the physical input mechanism is associated with selecting a first setof content associated with a first channel; and displaying the previewfurther includes displaying the first set of content whilesimultaneously displaying a second set of content, associated with asecond channel, that is a current selection.
 22. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein: the activation of the physical input mechanism isassociated with selecting a first set of content accessible via adistributed network; and displaying the preview further includesdisplaying the first set of content while simultaneously displaying asecond set of content that is broadcast and is a current selection. 23.A method as recited in claim 1, wherein: the activation of the physicalinput mechanism is associated with selecting content; and displaying thepreview includes displaying at least a portion of an annotationassociated with the content.
 24. A system for displaying a preview,comprising: a processor configured to sense that a physical inputmechanism has been engaged to a degree that does not produce anactivation of the physical input mechanism; and an interface configuredto display a preview comprising at least a portion of content data thatwould be provided as output if the physical input mechanism wereactivated, wherein the content of the preview varies in accordance withthe degree to which the physical input mechanism has been engaged.
 25. Acomputer program product for displaying a preview, the computer programproduct being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprisingcomputer instructions for: sensing that a physical input mechanism hasbeen engaged to a degree that does not produce an activation of thephysical input mechanism; and displaying a preview comprising at least aportion of content data that would be provided as output if the physicalinput mechanism were activated, wherein the content of the previewvaries in accordance with the degree to which the physical inputmechanism has been engaged.